Timepiece

ABSTRACT

A timepiece includes a dial plate, and a solar battery which is disposed on a rear side of the dial plate. The dial plate is provided with grooves or ridges. The grooves or the ridges have portions where inclination angles with regard to a normal line of the dial plate are different, and due to this, light which is transmitted through the dial plate is incident from a plurality of directions with angles which are different with regard to the solar battery.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2012-073043 filed on Mar. 28, 2012. The entire disclosure of JapanesePatent Application No. 2012-073043 is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a timepiece.

2. Background Technology

Since the periodic replacement of a battery is not necessary, solartimepieces which are provided with a solar battery are widely used. Insolar timepieces, normally, the solar battery is arranged on the rearsurface side of a dial plate with the object of preventing orsuppressing the adverse effects of the solar battery on the aestheticsof the timepiece as a whole (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).However, in solar timepieces in the related art, there have been caseswhere it is not possible to secure a sufficient amount of powergeneration even when used in a comparatively bright environment.

Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2001-264459 (Patent Document1, refer to FIG. 1 and the like) is an example of the related art.

SUMMARY Problems to Be Solved by the Invention

An advantage of the invention is to provide a timepiece with anexcellent aesthetic appearance where it is possible to efficientlyutilize light which is incident on a dial plate for power generationusing a solar battery.

Means Used to Solve the Above-Mentioned Problems

This advantage is achieved by the invention described below.

The timepiece of the invention has

-   -   a dial plate, and    -   a solar battery which is disposed on a rear surface side of the        dial plate,    -   in which the dial plate is provided with grooves or ridges, and    -   the grooves or the ridges have portions where inclination angles        with regard to a normal line of the dial plate are different,        and due to this, light which is transmitted through the dial        plate is incident from a plurality of directions with angles        which are different with regard to the solar battery.        Due to this, it is possible to provide a timepiece with an        excellent aesthetic appearance where it is possible to        efficiently utilize light which is incident on the dial plate        for power generation using the solar battery.

In the timepiece of the invention, the dial plate preferably has groovesor ridges which are provided concentrically as the grooves or theridges. Due to this, a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance ofthe timepiece is possible while the utilization efficiency of the lightis sufficiently excellent. In the timepiece of the invention, the dialplate preferably has grooves or ridges which are provided in a spiralshape as the grooves or the ridges. Due to this, by processing using anNC engraving machine or the like, it is possible to easily and reliablymanufacture a dial plate which has grooves and ridges with a desiredshape.

In the timepiece of the invention, the dial plate preferably has groovesor ridges, where a cross sectional shape in a direction which isorthogonal to a longitudinal direction is a curved portion, as thegrooves or the ridges. Due to this, a particularly excellent aestheticappearance of the timepiece is possible while the utilization efficiencyof the light is sufficiently excellent. In the timepiece of theinvention, the dial plate preferably has the grooves or ridges, where across sectional shape in a direction which is orthogonal to alongitudinal direction is a V shape, as the grooves or the ridges. Dueto this, by processing using an NC engraving machine or the like, it ispossible to easily and reliably manufacture a dial plate which hasgrooves and ridges with a desired shape.

In the timepiece of the invention, the dial plate preferably has thegrooves or the ridges on a surface on an opposite side to a surface on aside which opposes the solar battery. Due to this, a particularlyexcellent aesthetic appearance (for example, the stereoscopic effect orthe like of the dial plate) of the timepiece is possible while theutilization efficiency of the light is sufficiently excellent. In thetimepiece of the invention, the dial plate preferably has the grooves orthe ridges on a surface on a side which opposes the solar battery. Dueto this, it is possible to more appropriately arrange the indicatingmembers such as the time characters on the dial plate, and it ispossible for the durability (adhesion of the indicating members) or thelike of the timepiece to be particularly excellent. In the timepiece ofthe invention, the dial plate is preferably provided with a substratewhere the grooves or ridges are provided, and a color film. Due to this,a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance (for example, thestereoscopic effect or the like of the dial plate) of the timepiece ispossible.

Effect of the Invention

According to the invention, it is possible to provide a timepiece withan excellent aesthetic appearance where it is possible to efficientlyutilize light which is incident on a dial plate for power generationusing a solar battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a partial cross sectional diagram illustrating a firstembodiment of a timepiece of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a planar diagram illustrating the first embodiment of thetimepiece of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a planar diagram illustrating an example of a dial plate whichis provided in the timepiece of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a planar diagram illustrating another example of a dial platewhich is provided in the timepiece of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional diagram illustrating a secondembodiment of the timepiece of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Below, an appropriate embodiment of the invention will be described withreference to the attached diagrams.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a partial cross sectional diagram illustrating the firstembodiment of the timepiece of the invention, FIG. 2 is a planar diagramillustrating the first embodiment of the timepiece of the invention,FIG. 3 is a planar diagram illustrating an example of a dial plate whichis provided in the timepiece of the invention, and FIG. 4 is a planardiagram illustrating another example of a dial plate which is providedin the timepiece of the invention. Here, for ease of understanding, thediagrams referred to in the present specifications are illustrated toemphasize sections of the configuration, and do not accuratelyillustrate the actual dimensions or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, a timepiece (wristwatch) 100 is provided with a body(case) 1, a back cover 3, and a glass plate (cover glass) 5. Inaddition, in a space inside the case (a space which is formed by thebody, the back cover 3, and the glass plate 5), a dial plate 4, a solarbattery 8, a movement 9, and an inner frame 2 which has a function ofholding the dial plate 4, the solar battery 8, and the movement 9 areaccommodated in order from the side where the glass plate 5 is provided.

The body (case) 1 can be configured by any material, but from theviewpoint of achieving both excellent appearance and durability, it ispreferably configured by a metal material, a ceramic material, or thelike.

The glass plate 5 is normally configured by transparent glass, sapphireor the like with high transparency. Due to this, it is possible for thevisibility of the time and the like to be excellent and it is possiblefor light to be incident in a sufficient amount onto the solar battery8.

The inner frame 2 has a function of holding the dial plate 4, the solarbattery 8, and the movement 9. By providing such an inner frame, therelative movement of the dial plate 4, the solar battery 8, and themovement 9 in the body (case) 1 is regulated. The inner frame 2 can beconfigured by any material, but it is preferably configured by a plasticmaterial since plastic material has appropriate elasticity, processingis easy, and the like.

The inner frame 2 has a first portion 21 which holds the dial plate 4, asecond portion 22 which holds the solar battery 8, and a third portion23 which holds the movement 9. Then, a step is provided between thefirst portion 21 and the second portion 22. Due to this, it is possibleto appropriately hold both the dial plate 4 and the solar battery 8which has an area smaller than the dial plate 4 when seen in a planarview. In addition, the occurrence of collisions between the dial plate 4and the solar battery 8 and damage or defects in these members insidethe case 1 are more reliably prevented.

The solar battery 8 has a function where generation of power isperformed using light which is incident through the dial plate 4 or thelike, that is, a function where light energy is converted to electricalenergy. The electrical power which is generated by the solar battery 8charges a rechargeable battery which is provided on a circuit boardthrough a conductive member, and the movement 9 and the like are drivenusing the output from the rechargeable battery.

The solar battery 8 has, for example, a pin structure where p-typeimpurities and n-type impurities are selectively introduced intonon-single-crystal silicon thin films and an i-type non-single-crystalsilicon thin film which has a low impurity density is further providedbetween the p-type non-single-crystal silicon thin film and the n-typenon-single-crystal silicon thin film.

The solar battery 8 is held by the second portion 22 of the inner frame2. Due to this, the movement of the solar battery 8 inside the case 1 isregulated.

A shaft 61 is provided in the movement 9 and an hour hand 70 a, a minutehand 70 b, and a second hand 70 c as hands 7 are supported by the shaft61 to be able to rotate.

The movement 9 has a built-in mechanism which drives (rotates) the hands7 using the electrical power which is generated by the power generationof the solar battery 8.

Although omitted in FIG. 1, inside the movement 9, for example, there isprovided an electric double layer capacitor which stores theelectromotive force of the solar battery 8, a lithium ion rechargeablebattery, a crystal oscillator as a time reference source, asemiconductor integrated circuit which generates a driving pulse whichdrives the timepiece on the basis of the oscillation frequency of thecrystal oscillator, a step motor which drives the hand every secondusing a wheel train mechanism, a wheel train mechanism which transmitsthe movement of the step motor to the hands, or the like.

The dial plate 4 has functions such as increasing the visibility anddiscriminability of the time or the like using a member arranged at therear surface side of the hands 7. In addition, the dial plate 4 is alsoa member which has a considerable effect on the aesthetics (aestheticappearance) of the timepiece 100 as a whole. In particular, in theinvention, the dial plate has a function of preventing the solar batteryfrom being directly visible to an observer (the user or the like) of thetimepiece.

In addition, the dial plate 4 has a larger area (area when seen in aplanar view) than the solar battery 8 and encompasses the solar battery8 in a planar view. Due to this, it is possible to more reliably preventthe solar battery 8 from being visible to the observer of the timepiece100 while setting a proportion of the outside of the timepiece 100 whichis occupied by the dial plate 4 to be sufficiently large.

Here, in solar timepieces (timepieces which are provided with a solarbattery) in the related art, there have been cases where it is notpossible to secure a sufficient amount of power generation despite beingused in a comparatively bright environment.

With the advantage of solving such a problem, the invention was reachedas a result of the inventors performing intensive research with a focuson a relationship between the brightness of the environment in which thetimepiece is used and the strength of the light which is irradiated tothe solar battery. In other words, in solar timepieces in the relatedart, in a case where light is incident with regard to the dial platefrom the normal line direction, it is possible to efficiently performthe power generation in the solar battery, but the present inventorsdiscovered that, as the angle which is formed with the normal line ofthe dial plate and the incidence direction of the light becomes larger(the angle which is formed by the surface of the dial plate and theincidence direction of the light becomes smaller), the power generationefficiency in the solar battery rapidly decreases. Then, in thetimepiece of the invention, there is a configuration where the dialplate is provided with grooves or ridges, the grooves or ridges haveportions where inclination angles with regard to a normal line of thedial plate are different, and due to this, light which is transmittedthrough the dial plate is incident from a plurality of directions withangles which are different with regard to the solar battery. Due tothis, without being limited to a case where light is incident withregard to the dial plate from the normal line direction, sufficientlyexcellent power generation efficiency in the solar battery is possibleeven in a case where the angle which is formed by the normal line of thedial plate and the incidence direction of the light is large (a casewhere the angle which is formed by the surface of the dial plate and theincidence direction of the light is small). Accordingly, it is possibleto suppress unevenness in the power generation amount according to therelationship between the orientation of the dial plate and the incidencedirection of external light, and it is possible to secure a stable powergeneration amount in an environment which has a predetermined brightnessor greater. In addition, it is possible to secure a sufficient powergeneration amount without forcing the user of the watch to use anunnatural posture. In addition, since it is possible to reliably preventthe shape and the like of the solar battery from being visible to theobserver by providing the grooves or ridges, a reliably excellentaesthetic appearance (aesthetics) of the timepiece as a whole ispossible.

In the timepiece 100 of the present embodiment, grooves 411 are providedin the dial plate 4. Then, the grooves 411 are configured such that aninclination angle is different for each portion, and due to this, lightwhich is transmitted through the dial plate 4 is incident from aplurality of directions with different angles with regard to the solarbattery 8. Due to this, an excellent effect as described above isobtained.

Here, in the invention, the “inclination angle” in relation to a grooverefers to the angle which is formed by the normal line of the dial plateand the surface where the groove is configured.

In addition, as described above, with regard to the grooves 411, it issufficient if the inclination angles of each of the portions aredifferent, for example, it is sufficient if there are portions where theinclination angles are different to each other in one of the grooves411. In addition, in a case where the dial plate 4 has a plurality ofgrooves 411, the inclination angles in each of the grooves 411 can beconstant and the inclination angles can be different between theplurality of grooves 411.

The dial plate 4 can be configured by any material, but the dial plate 4which is configured by a material which includes a plastic material isappropriately used. Due to this, it is possible for the dial plate 4 asa whole to easily have excellent light transmittance and it is possibleto more effectively perform the power generation of the solar battery 8.In addition, particularly excellent productivity of the dial plate 4 ispossible and it is possible to more reliably increase the dimensionalprecision of the grooves 411.

In the configuration of the diagram, the dial plate 4 is provided with asubstrate 41 which is provided with the grooves 411 and a color film 42.Due to this, a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance (for example,the stereoscopic effect or the like of the dial plate) of the timepiece100 is possible.

In addition, appropriate application to production of a wide variety ofthe timepieces 100 is possible by changing the configuration (forexample, the hue, the pattern, and the like) of the color film 42 whilekeeping the configuration of the substrate 41 in common.

In addition, in the related art, in cases where the color density of thedial plate is set to be comparatively high, there have been problems inthat the amount of power generation of the solar battery is rapidlydecreased, and in particular, these problems have been remarkable incases where the angle which is formed by the normal line of the dialplate and the incidence direction of light is large, but in theinvention, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of theproblems described above even in a case where the color density (colordensity of the color film) of the dial plate is set to be comparativelyhigh.

For example, the color film 42 can be configured by a material whichincludes coloring agents such as various types of pigments and varioustypes of dyes, or can be configured by a metal material (for example, ametal thin film).

In addition, the substrate 41 can include other components such as, forexample, coloring agents in addition to a resin material.

In the present embodiment, the dial plate 4 (the substrate 41) has thegrooves 411 on the surface of the opposite side to the surface of theside which opposes the solar battery 8. Due to this, a particularlyexcellent aesthetic appearance (for example, the stereoscopic effect orthe like of the dial plate 4) of the timepiece 100 is possible while theutilization efficiency of light is sufficiently excellent.

In addition, in this present embodiment, the dial plate 4 (the substrate41) has grooves, where a cross sectional shape in a direction which isorthogonal to a longitudinal direction is a curved portion 4111, as thegrooves 411. Due to this, a particularly excellent aesthetic appearanceof the timepiece 100 is possible while the utilization efficiency oflight is sufficiently excellent.

In addition, the grooves 411 which configure the dial plate 4 (thesubstrate 41) preferably have the following relationship in the crosssection which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof. Thatis, in the cross section which is orthogonal to the longitudinaldirection of the grooves 411, a concave portion which corresponds to thegrooves 411 is preferably configured by at least a first line 4113 and asecond line 4114 which is provided more to the outer peripheral side ofthe dial plate 4 than the first line 4113, where the first line 4113 issubstantially parallel to the normal line of the dial plate 4 and anangle which is formed with the normal line of the dial plate 4 is largerfor the second line 4114 than for the first line 4113. Due to this, aparticularly excellent aesthetic appearance of the timepiece 100 ispossible while the utilization efficiency of light is sufficientlyexcellent.

In addition, in the configuration of the diagram, an angle θ, which isformed by the curved portion 4111 in the cross section in the directionwhich is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the grooves 411 andthe normal line of the dial plate 4, is configured to become smallerfrom the center of the dial plate 4 toward the outer peripheral side.Due to this, a particularly excellent stereoscopic effect of the dialplate 4 is possible and a particularly excellent aesthetic appearance ofthe timepiece 100 as a whole is possible.

In particular, as in the present embodiment, the dial plate 4 (thesubstrate 41) has the grooves 411 on the surface of the opposite side tothe surface of the side which opposes the solar battery 8, and when theangle θ, which is formed by the curved portion in the cross section inthe direction which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of thegrooves 411 and the normal line of the dial plate 4, is configured so asto become smaller from the center of the dial plate 4 toward the outerperipheral side, a bowl shaped stereoscopic effect is obtained where thedial plate 4 is depressed in the vicinity of the center and rises uptoward the outer peripheral side.

In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, the dial plate 4 (thesubstrate 41) has a plurality of grooves 411 and the grooves 411 areprovided concentrically (in particular, in the form of concentriccircles in the configuration of the diagram). Due to this, aparticularly excellent aesthetic appearance of the timepiece 100 ispossible while the utilization efficiency of light is sufficientlyexcellent.

In addition, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, the dial plate4 (the substrate 41) has grooves which are provided in a spiral shape asthe grooves 411. Due to this, by processing using an NC engravingmachine or the like, it is possible to easily and reliably manufacturethe dial plate 4 which has the grooves 411 with a desired shape.

The depth of the grooves 411 is not particularly limited, but ispreferably 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less and more preferably 10 μm ormore and 50 μm or less. Due to this, a particularly excellent aestheticappearance of the timepiece 100 and efficient utilization of light arepossible.

In addition, the pitch of the grooves 411 (the pitch between concaveportions which are adjacent in the cross section in the direction whichis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the grooves 411) is notparticularly limited, but is preferably 10 μm or more and 100 μm or lessand more preferably 25 μm or more and 50 μm or less. Due to this, aparticularly excellent aesthetic appearance of the timepiece 100 andefficient utilization of light are possible.

Second Embodiment

Next, the second embodiment of the timepiece of the invention will bedescribed. FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional diagram illustrating thesecond embodiment of a timepiece of the invention. Below, the timepieceof the second embodiment will be described by focusing on the points ofdifference with the embodiment described above and description of pointsof similarity will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the timepiece 100 of the presentembodiment, the dial plate 4 (the substrate 41) has the grooves 411 onthe surface of the side which opposes the solar battery 8. Due to this,it is possible to more appropriately arrange the indicating members suchas the time characters on the dial plate 4, and particularly excellentdurability (adhesion of the indicating members) or the like of thetimepiece 100 is possible.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the dial plate 4 (the substrate41) has grooves, where a cross sectional shape in a direction which isorthogonal to a longitudinal direction is a V shape, as the grooves 411.Due to this, by processing using an NC engraving machine or the like, itis possible to easily and reliably manufacture the dial plate 4 (thesubstrate 41) which has the grooves 411 with a desired shape.

In addition, in the configuration of the diagram, an angle θ, which isformed by a bisecting line 4112 of the V shape in the cross section inthe direction which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of thegrooves 411 and the normal line of the dial plate 4, is configured tobecome smaller from the center of the dial plate 4 toward the outerperipheral side. Due to this, a particularly excellent stereoscopiceffect of the dial plate 4 is possible and a particularly excellentaesthetic appearance of the timepiece 100 as a whole is possible.

In particular, as in the present embodiment, the dial plate 4 (thesubstrate 41) has the grooves 411 on the surface of the side whichopposes the solar battery 8, and when the angle θ, which is formed withthe bisecting line 4112 of the V shape in the cross section in thedirection which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of thegrooves 411 is configured so as to become smaller from the center of thedial plate 4 toward the outer peripheral side, a dome shapedstereoscopic effect is obtained in which the dial plate 4 rises up inthe vicinity of the center while being depressed toward the outerperipheral side thereof.

Above, appropriate embodiments of the invention have been described, butthe invention is not limited to the above description.

For example, in the timepiece of the invention, it is possible for theconfiguration of each of the sections to be replaced with an arbitraryconfiguration which exhibits the same function, and in addition, it ispossible to add any arbitrary configuration.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, the dial plate has beendescribed as having grooves, but the dial plate in the invention canhave ridges instead of the grooves or in addition to the grooves. Here,since the grooves and the ridges have a relative relationship, it ispossible to interpret a region between a groove and a groove as a ridgeand, in addition, it is possible to interpret a region between a ridgeand a ridge as a groove.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, the color film has beendescribed as provided on the surface of the opposite side to the surfacewhere the grooves are provided in the substrate, but the color film canbe provided on the surface of the side where the grooves are provided inthe substrate, or can be provided on both sides of the substrate. Inaddition, in the timepiece of the invention, it is not necessary toprovide a color film in the dial plate.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, the dial plate (thesubstrate) has been described representatively in a case where thegrooves are provided only on one surface, but in the timepiece of theinvention, grooves or ridges can be provided on both surfaces of thedial plate (the substrate).

In addition, in the first embodiment described above, a case has beendescribed with a configuration where the dial plate (the substrate) hasgrooves on the surface of the opposite side to the surface of the sidewhich opposes the solar battery, the dial plate (the substrate) hasgrooves, where a cross sectional shape in a direction which isorthogonal to a longitudinal direction is a curved portion, as thegrooves, and the angle θ, which is formed by the curved portion in thecross section in the direction which is orthogonal to the longitudinaldirection of the grooves and the normal line of the dial plate, becomessmaller from the center of the dial plate to the outer peripheral side,but a bowl shaped stereoscopic effect is obtained in which the dialplate is depressed in the vicinity of the center thereof and rises uptoward the outer peripheral side in the same manner as the firstembodiment described above even in the case of a configuration where thedial plate (the substrate) has grooves on the surface of the oppositeside to the surface of the side which opposes the solar battery, thedial plate (the substrate) has grooves, where a cross sectional shape ina direction which is orthogonal to a longitudinal direction is a Vshape, as the grooves, and the angle θ, which is formed with thebisecting line of the V shape in the cross section in the directionwhich is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the grooves,becomes smaller from the center of the dial plate to the outerperipheral side.

In addition, in the second embodiment described above, a case has beendescribed with a configuration where the dial plate (the substrate) hasgrooves on the surface of the side which opposes the solar battery, thedial plate (the substrate) has grooves, where a cross sectional shape ina direction which is orthogonal to a longitudinal direction is a Vshape, as the grooves, and the angle θ, which is formed with thebisecting line of the V shape in the cross section in the directionwhich is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the grooves,becomes smaller from the center of the dial plate to the outerperipheral side, but a dome shaped stereoscopic effect is obtained inwhich the dial plate rises up in the vicinity of the center thereof andis depressed toward the outer peripheral side in a similar manner to thesecond embodiment described above, even in the case of a configurationwhere the dial plate (the substrate) has grooves on the surface of theside which opposes the solar battery, the dial plate (the substrate) hasgrooves, where a cross sectional shape in a direction which isorthogonal to a longitudinal direction is a curved portion, as thegrooves, and the angle θ, which is formed by the curved portion in thecross section in the direction which is orthogonal to the longitudinaldirection of the grooves and the normal line of the dial plate, becomessmaller from the center of the dial plate to the outer peripheral side.

What is claimed is:
 1. A timepiece comprising: a dial plate; and a solarbattery which is disposed on a rear side of the dial plate, wherein thedial plate is provided with grooves or ridges, and the grooves or theridges have portions where inclination angles with regard to a normalline of the dial plate are different, and due to this, light which istransmitted through the dial plate is incident from a plurality ofdirections with angles which are different with regard to the solarbattery.
 2. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the dial platehas grooves or ridges which are provided concentrically as the groovesor the ridges.
 3. The timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the dialplate has grooves or ridges which are provided in a spiral shape as thegrooves or the ridges.
 4. The timepiece according to claim 1, whereinthe dial plate has grooves or ridges, where a cross sectional shape in adirection which is orthogonal to a longitudinal direction is a curvedportion, as the grooves or the ridges.
 5. The timepiece according toclaim 1, wherein the dial plate has grooves or ridges, where a crosssectional shape in a direction which is orthogonal to a longitudinaldirection is a V shape, as the grooves or the ridges.
 6. The timepieceaccording to claim 1, wherein the dial plate has the grooves or theridges on a surface on an opposite side to a surface of a side whichopposes the solar battery.
 7. The timepiece according to claim 1,wherein the dial plate has the grooves or the ridges on a surface of aside which opposes the solar battery.
 8. The timepiece according toclaim 1, wherein the dial plate is provided with a substrate where thegrooves or the ridges are provided and a color film.